Jay Norvell is the head football coach of the Colorado State Rams, representing Colorado State University, a position he has held since December 2021. The Wisconsin native began his playing career at the University of Iowa where he led the program to a conference championship in 1985 and was an All-Big Ten defensive back. Before starting coaching at his alma mater, Norvell spent one season with the Chicago Bears as a practice linebacker.
Following his journey in the NFL, Norvell began his coaching career at Iowa as a graduate assistant. Over the next decade, Norvell served as an assistant head coach at Wisconsin and Iowa State and a full-time position as receivers coach at Northern Iowa in 1988. Norvell also spent six seasons in the NFL, four with the Indianapolis Colts and two with the Oakland Raiders. He also served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UCLA and Nebraska before joining Oklahoma Sooners in 2008. Norvell spent seven years with the program and worked with marquee athletes such as Demarco Murray, Samaje Perine, and Juaquin Iglesias. After leaving Oklahoma, he had brief spells at Texas and Arizona State before joining Nevada in 2017 where he earned his first head coaching role. Norvell restored the football program at Nevada in his second season and helped Carson Strong to two consecutive Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021.
However, after five seasons with the Wolf Pack, Norvell transferred to Colorado to become the new head coach for the Rams in 2022 and made an 8-16 record in his first two seasons with the program. Norvell solidified his status as the second-highest-paid coach in the Mountain West Conference.
What is Jay Norvell's salary at Colorado State?
Jay Norvell's salary is $1.8 million, as of 2024, according to USA Today. His salary at Colorado State started at $1.6 million in 2022 and increases by $100,000 each year, reaching $2 million by the end of his five-year contract in 2026, as reported by Coloradoan. He also has various bonuses for on-field success, including conference wins, bowl games, and playoff appearances. Before joining Colorado State as a head coach, Jay Norvell had a salary of $619,250 in 2021 serving as a head coach at Nevada Wolf Pack football, according to USA Today.
| Year | School | Position | Base Salary | Total Pay | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Colorado State | Head | $1,800,000 | $1,800,000 | - |
| 2023 | Colorado State | Head | $1,700,000 | $1,700,000 | - |
| 2022 | Colorado State | Head | $1,600,000 | $1,600,000 | - |
| 2021 | Nevada | Head | $619,250 | $625,000 | - |
| 2020 | Nevada | Head | $625,000 | $625,000 | - |
| 2019 | Nevada | Head | $500,000 | $500,000 | - |
| 2018 | Nevada | Head | $500,000 | $500,000 | - |
| 2017 | Nevada | Head | $450,000 | $450,000 | - |
| 2016 | Arizona State | Assistant | $380,000 | $380,000 | - |
| 2015 | Texas | Assistant | $370,000 | $370,000 | - |
| 2014 | Oklahoma | Assistant | $461,600 | $455,000 | $6,600 |
| 2013 | Oklahoma | Assistant | $406,000 | $400,000 | $6,000 |
| 2012 | Oklahoma | Assistant | $360,000 | $350,000 | $10,000 |
| 2011 | Oklahoma | Assistant | $335,000 | $330,000 | $5,000 |
| 2010 | Oklahoma | Assistant | $266,000 | $255,000 | $11,000 |
| 2009 | Oklahoma | Assistant | $241,900 | $180,000 | $61,900 |
Jay Norvell contract details
As per the USA Today and Coloradoan, Jay Norvell's contract with Colorado State University includes a base salary starting at $1.6 million in 2021 and increasing by $100,000 each year, reaching $2 million by 2026. He has a buyout clause that requires him to pay $4 million if he leaves before 2023, which decreases each year to $1 million by 2025, and nothing in 2026.
FAQs on Jay Norvell
A. Jay Norvell became the head coach of Colorado State Rams football in December 2021.
A. Jay Norvell earned $625,000 during his time at the Nevada Wolf Pack.
A. Kim Norvell is the wife of Jay Norvell.
A. Jay Norvell played as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
